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The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are one of several great viewing spots for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo by J. McWilliams for the PCVB)

Save the date: the 2011 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade returns Thursday, November 24 for its 92nd year.

Our parade is the oldest in the entire country, and a tried and true Philadelphia tradition.

The 1.4-mile 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day parade thrills with an entourage of popular characters from Sesame Street and Disney in floats and giant balloons, plus local performers from choirs, dance groups, marching bands and more. And Santa himself arrives in grand fashion, ushering Philadelphia into the holiday season.

This year’s parade promises another visual and celebratory feast. So bundle up, grab the kids or a group of friends and head out for an early holiday treat.

Check out our guide to the parade, below:

Parade Route

1. Start point: 20th Street and JFK Boulevard. From there, the parade proceeds east on JFK Boulevard to 16th Street.

2. The Parade turns left onto 16th Street until reaching the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

4. The Parade bears right, going northwest on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for three blocks until reaching Logan Circle.

5. The Parade loops around the southern part of Logan Circle and then continues on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway until it reaches Eakins Oval.

6. The Parade proceeds along the south portion of Eakins Oval finishing in front of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Special Guests

This year’s special guests include, to name a few, American idol Season 1 finalist Justin Guarini, the Eagles cheerleaders, Miss Delaware, Miss Pennsylvania, Miss New Jersey, characters from Sesame Place, Sam Champion from Good Morning America and Chef Carla Hall from Bravo’s Top Chef and ABC’s new show The Chew.

Best Places to Watch

• One of the best places to watch is at the parade’s finish at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• Warm up in the Campbell’s Winter Wonderland Expo Tent on the south side of Eakins Oval with some hot cocoa and look out for special guests and giveaways.

• Other locations along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, like Logan Circle, are also good bets.

• You can also watch the parade begin at 20th and JFK Boulevard and then take a shortcut on foot heading north on 20th Street five blocks to the Parkway and catch the parade again as it goes by.

Food Drive

Another facet of 6abc and Dunkin’ Donuts partnership is a Holiday Food Drive you can contribute to in a number of ways. Parade goers are urged to gather their cans, and toss them into provided carts as Boy Scouts and Campbell Soup Company volunteers wind their way along the parade route. Then from November 25-December 31, you can donate online. Dunkin’ Donuts Philly will donate $1 up to $10,000 to Philabundance for every new “Like” their Facebook page receives during that time window.

Stay tuned for more information on Thanksgiving happenings around the city. We’re due for an action-packed and fun-filled holiday!

We’ve included a helpful map of the parade route, below.

2011 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
When: Thursday, November 25, begins at 8:30 a.m and ends around noon
Where: begins at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Cost: Free!
More info: www.dig.abclocal.go.com